In September 2025, the GGPD Youth Services Unit welcomed K9 Hancho to the team! Hancho is a Belgian Malinois who will turn two years old on July 4th and is a single-purpose detection dog trained to locate firearms.
Friendly and social, Hancho enjoys playing with Support K9s Nellie and Shelby. He was purchased through the John Reynolds Youth Support Canine Foundation, with generous donations from Garden Grove residents, including Charlie Kim and the Cho family.
Hancho was named in honor of former GGPD Corporal Han Cho, who was tragically killed in a 2023 vehicle collision while riding his motorcycle home after his shift. His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. 💙
Assigned to the Youth Services Unit, Hancho helps keep our schools safe and also supports Detectives, Gang Units, and Patrol. When he’s not working, he loves sniffing everything and staying active on the job. @paws4students
With the most recent retirements of some of our wonderful four legged support friends, we’d like to announce the newest addition to the support K9 Unit!!
Meet T9 Franklin! He is tough as nails and ready to spread some Pawsitivity or Shell Support wherever he is needed! Although he might be a little slow jumping out of his patrol car, he is ready to see some action!
Keep an eye out for him! Have a pawsome day!!!
😂 @gardengrovepd
Come join us tonight for some 80’s fun at our annual fundraiser!! In Garden Grove!!! GG Community Meeting Center 11300 Stanford Ave, Garden Grove, Ca Drinks and food will be served!!
On this day let us honor the memory of those lost by choosing compassion, respect and unity over division and remembering that our shared humanity is greater than our differences.
A day late but never a dollar short!
As our 2025 Support K9 Conference and Certification drew to a close, Day Four brought a critical focus to the often-overlooked yet incredibly important aspects of Support Canine Liability and Documentation. This session was invaluable for anyone working with or planning to deploy support canines, underscoring the necessity of meticulous record-keeping and a deep understanding of our canine partners.
The morning kicked off with socializing training by visiting employees of the Garden Grove Unified School District and Garden Grove City Hall (that was amazing 🤩) the afternoon session started with an in-depth discussion on Knowing Your Canine, emphasizing that responsible support dog handling begins with comprehensive knowledge of the individual animal.
Day Four truly brought home the message that while our support canines provide invaluable comfort and assistance, their responsible deployment relies heavily on diligent documentation and a proactive approach to understanding and mitigating potential liabilities.
It was a powerful reminder that preparation and thorough record-keeping are just as vital as the bond we share with our amazing dogs.
Our deepest thanks go to Garden Grove City Manager Lisa Kim. Her vision and support have been pivotal in empowering the continued growth of our Support K9 community, equipping us with the vital tools and training to effectively serve.
Lastly but never least, a big thanks to the NAFRSK9 Board of Directors, P.O.S.T Certified trainers, guest speakers, GGPD Cadets, local vendors, Attorney Brandi Harper of Harper and McCoy, Crisis Canines of the Midlands and The John Reynolds Youth Support Canine Foundation for an amazing experience and learning opportunity. We appreciate you all!
📸 @k9cooperlbpd
#SupportK9 #ServiceDog #johnreynoldsyouthsupportcaninefoundation #nafrsCanineConference #Liability #Documentation #WorkingDogs #CrisisResponse #certification2025
Day 3 Wrap-Up: 2025 West Coast Support Canine Conference & Certification Seminar- Unleashing Potential and Navigating New Frontiers!
What an incredible Day 3. We once again delved deeper into critical topics that are shaping the future of support dog integration and handler preparedness.
The insights shared by our expert speakers showcased the adaptability and indispensable value of well-trained and healthy support dogs in even the most challenging environments.
A significant portion of our day was dedicated not only on the importance of our canines welfare and health but on crucial legal updates in standard training. Staying abreast of the evolving legal landscape is paramount for all support dog teams. We covered recent legal changes, best practices for compliance, and discussed how these updates impact everything from public access rights to certification requirements.
This session was invaluable for ensuring our teams are not only highly skilled but also legally sound in their operations. We saw firsthand the dedication and passion of all attendees, from seasoned handlers to those just beginning their journey in this vital field.
The discussions were rich, the questions insightful, and the shared commitment to excellence truly inspiring.
As a special treat, @aquariumpacific hosted all the pups and handlers to an afternoon of community engagement and environmental training. It was a great experience for all involved!
Thank you to all our speakers for their expertise and to our attendees for making Day 3 such a resounding success. We’re already looking forward to seeing how these invaluable insights are applied in the field, further elevating the standard of support dog services.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the remainder of our seminar!
📸 @k9cooperlbpd
#SupportK9Conference #WorkingDogs #ServiceDogs #K9Training #nafrsk9 #SpecialIncidents #LegalUpdates #CertificationSeminar #DogTraining #CommunitySupport
Day 2: Diving Deep 🚤 at the 2025 West Coast Support Canine Conference & Certification Seminar!
Another fantastic day has wrapped up at our West Coast Support Canine Conference and Certification Seminar! Today, we delved deeper into critical aspects of support canine work, from advanced training techniques to the latest in canine welfare and handler support.
Highlights included a dynamic presentation by Dr. Heather Williams of Premier First Responder Psychological Services. We participated in environmental and sensory training at the Newport Beach Harbor in collaboration with the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol.
Big thanks to Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan for taking us all on an amazing boat ride out to the Harbor, providing environmental training, @RaisingCanes for providing a delicious lunch to our support canine handlers and instructors and last but definitely not least the members of the University of California Riverside Pipe Band for their incredible performances providing sensory training to our support canines.
The certification tracks are also in full swing, with teams demonstrating their incredible capabilities. It’s truly inspiring to see so many passionate individuals committed to making a difference with their canine partners. We’re looking forward to another day of learning and growth tomorrow!
📸 @k9cooperlbpd
#ocsheriffharborpatrol #raisingcaneschickenfingers #SupportCanine #CanineTraining #ServiceDogs #WestCoastConference #K9Partners
